UCLA offensive lineman Conor McDermott lifts freshman quarterback Josh Rosen into his arms after Rosen threw his first career touchdown pass during the first half of Saturday's season opener against Virginia at the Rose Bowl. Rosen completed 28 of 35 passes for 351 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions in an impressive debut. MICHAEL GOULDING, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

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UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen throws during the first half of Saturday's season opener against Virginia at the Rose Bowl. The true freshman completed 28 of 35 passes for 351 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. MICHAEL GOULDING, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

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UCLA wide receiver Thomas Duarte (Mater Dei High) holds on to the ball as he tumbles to the ground in the end zone for a 30-yard touchdown pass during the first half of Saturday's season opener against Virginia at the Rose Bowl. MICHAEL GOULDING, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

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UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen, left, and receiver Thomas Duarte celebrate after they hooked up on a 30-yard touchdown pass during the first half of Saturday's season opener against Virginia at the Rose Bowl. MICHAEL GOULDING, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

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UCLA wide receiver Kenneth Walker III fails to catch the first pass of freshman quarterback Josh Rosen's career as Virginia cornerback Maurice Canady looks on during the first half of Saturday's season opener at the Rose Bowl. Walker appeared likely to have had a 75-yard touchdown had he caught the ball. MICHAEL GOULDING, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

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UCLA wide receiver Thomas Duarte hauls in a first down catch between Virginia cornerbacks Demetrious Nicholson, left, and Quin Blanding during the first half of Saturday's season opener at the Rose Bowl. MICHAEL GOULDING, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

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UCLA's Myles Jack runs with the ball during a brief appearance as a running back during the second half of Saturday's season opener against Virginia at the Rose Bowl. Jack played primarily linebacker, but did have two consecutive carries, including a touchdown. MICHAEL GOULDING, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

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UCLA's Myles Jack dives into the end zone for a touchdown during the second half of Saturday's season opener against Virginia at the Rose Bowl. Jack played primarily linebacker, but did have two consecutive carries as a running back. MICHAEL GOULDING, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

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UCLA linebackers Kenny Young, front, and Deon Hollins fall on top of Virginia quarterback Matt Johns during the second half of Saturday's season opener at the Rose Bowl. MICHAEL GOULDING, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

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UCLA defensive lineman Matt Dickerson celebrates his hurry of Virginia quarterback Matt Johns during the second half of Saturday's season opener at the Rose Bowl. MICHAEL GOULDING, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

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The frustration of overthrowing an open receiver in the end zone shows on the face of UCLA freshman quarterback Josh Rosen during the second half of Saturday's season opener at the Rose Bowl. MICHAEL GOULDING, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

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UCLA head coach Jim Mora and freshman quarterback Josh Rosen confer during the second half of Saturday's season opener at the Rose Bowl. MICHAEL GOULDING, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

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UCLA wide receiver Devin Fuller stiff-arms Virginia safety Wilfred Wahee after a reception during the second half of Saturday's season opener at the Rose Bowl. MICHAEL GOULDING, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

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UCLA running back Paul Perkins gains some yardage after a catch in front of Virginia linebacker Zach Bradshaw during the second half of Saturday's season opener at the Rose Bowl. MICHAEL GOULDING, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

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UCLA running back Paul Perkins gets ahead of Virginia safety Kelvin Rainey during the second half of Saturday's season opener at the Rose Bowl. MICHAEL GOULDING, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

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UCLA wide receiver Jordan Payton hauls in a pass in front of Virginia cornerback Demetrious Nicholson during the second half of Saturday's season opener at the Rose Bowl. MICHAEL GOULDING, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

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UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen looks to throw down field while on the run during the first half of Saturday's season opener at the Rose Bowl. MICHAEL GOULDING, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

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UCLA running back Soso Jamabo runs for a first down during the second half of Saturday's season opener at the Rose Bowl. MICHAEL GOULDING, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

UCLA players celebrate with 310-pound defensive lineman Kenny Clark (No. 97) after he scored on a short pass from Josh Rosen during the second half of Saturday's season opener at the Rose Bowl. MICHAEL GOULDING, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

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UCLA head coach Jim Mora and freshman quarterback Josh Rosen share a moment before Mora put backup quarterback Jerry Neuheisel into the game during the second half of Saturday's season opener at the Rose Bowl. Mora and Rosen appear to have a bright future together. MICHAEL GOULDING, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

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UCLA players take the field for the first game of the season Saturday afternoon at the Rose Bowl. No. 13 UCLA defeated Virginia, 34-16, behind an impressive debut from freshman quarterback Josh Rosen. MICHAEL GOULDING, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

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Virginia running back Albert Reid is tackled by UCLA defensive lineman Kenny Clark, right, and linebacker Kenny Young during Saturday's game at the Rose Bowl. STEPHEN DUNN, GETTY IMAGES

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UCLA defensive lineman Kenny Clark scores a touchdown on a 3-yard catch during the second half. JAE C. HONG, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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UCLA defensive lineman Kenny Clark is lifted by defensive lineman Eddie Vanderdoes after catching a 3-yard touchdown pass during the third quarter of the season opener. UCLA used Clark, Vanderdoes and linebacker Myles Jack in its backfield during the opener, with Clark and Jack scoring touchdowns in the 34-16 victory. STEPHEN DUNN, GETTY IMAGES

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UCLA wide receiver Thomas Duarte, left, catches a 30-yard touchdown pass in front of Virginia's Quin Blanding during the first half of Saturday's season opener at the Rose Bowl. STEPHEN DUNN, GETTY IMAGES

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UCLA wide receiver Thomas Duarte, left, catches a 30-yard touchdown pass in front of Virginia's Quin Blanding during the first half of Saturday's season opener at the Rose Bowl. JAE C. HONG, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

UCLA running back Paul Perkins is upended by Virginia safety Kelvin Rainey during the first half. JAE C. HONG, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen throws a pass during the first half of Saturday's season opener against Virginia at the Rose Bowl. The true freshman completed 28 of 35 passes for 351 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. JAE C. HONG, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen throws a pass while on the run during the first half of Saturday's season opener against Virginia at the Rose Bowl. The true freshman completed 28 of 35 passes for 351 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. STEPHEN DUNN, GETTY IMAGES

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UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen looks to pass during Saturday's season opener. The true freshman completed 28 of 35 passes for 351 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. STEPHEN DUNN, GETTY IMAGES

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UCLA head coach Jim Mora directs his team during the first half of Saturday's game against Virginia at the Rose Bowl. JAE C. HONG, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Virginia quarterback Matt Johns throws a pass during Saturday's game against UCLA at the Rose Bowl. STEPHEN DUNN, GETTY IMAGES

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Virginia head coach Mike London yells to his players during the first half of Saturday's game against UCLA at the Rose Bowl. JAE C. HONG, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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UCLA freshman quarterback Josh Rosen, center, smiles as he walks off the field after looking poised and impressive in his first game as a Bruin, a 34-16 victory over Virginia. JAE C. HONG, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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UCLA cheerleaders stand at attention during the National Anthem before Saturday's season opener against Virginia at the Rose Bowl. JAE C. HONG, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

UCLA offensive lineman Conor McDermott lifts freshman quarterback Josh Rosen into his arms after Rosen threw his first career touchdown pass during the first half of Saturday's season opener against Virginia at the Rose Bowl. Rosen completed 28 of 35 passes for 351 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions in an impressive debut.MICHAEL GOULDING, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

With UCLA driving just past midfield, midway through the second quarter in its season-opening 34-16 win over Virginia, freshman quarterback Josh Rosen took the snap, steadied in the pocket and looked downfield in the direction of receiver Thomas Duarte, who was running alongside the right hashmarks.

A Virginia safety draped Duarte’s left shoulder, but Rosen knew he had his man. As he released the ball, it sailed through the air, glittering in the Pasadena sunshine, and dropped ever so softly into Duarte’s right shoulder, a place where only he could corral it. No adjustments were needed.

“The only thing was the sun,” Duarte said. “That was the only thing I had to deal with.”

The announced Rose Bowl crowd of 68,615 rejoiced after the 30-yard touchdown toss. After the catch, Rosen immediately sprinted toward the end zone to celebrate with Duarte, both jumping into the air to embrace.

After months of anticipation, Rosen, who arrived in January as the top-ranked high school quarterback prospect in the country, became the first UCLA true freshman quarterback to start a season opener Saturday and already passed his first test.

“It was surreal,” the 18-year-old Rosen said. “It was definitely surreal. You should try it.”

Rosen completed 28 of 35 passes for 351 yards and three touchdowns by the time he exited the game in the early minutes of the fourth quarter, and backup Jerry Neuheisel took over for mop-up duty. The 13th-ranked Bruins had little trouble dispelling Virginia in the opener for the second straight year.

“He didn’t do anything I hadn’t seen him do yet,” UCLA coach Jim Mora said of Rosen. “I thought the throw to Thomas Duarte was a little bit of a ‘Whoa, that’s pretty good.’ But I can’t say I haven’t seen it before.”

The strong-armed passer from St. John Bosco High in Bellflower took his shots from the get-go. On his first play from scrimmage, he heaved a pass more than 50 yards in the air that was dropped by Kenneth Walker, dashing a potential 75-yard touchdown. The Bruins went three-and-out on that series.

But immediately, on their next drive, they again leaned on the freshman. Rosen completed all five of his attempts – for 59 yards – on the drive. He found running back Paul Perkins on a screen pass that went for 30 yards. He threw a laser to Duarte for a 16-yard gain on a post-corner route to set up a first-and-goal. He found a wide-open Devin Fuller in the end zone for the first touchdown pass of his career and put UCLA ahead for good, 7-3, in the first quarter.

“There were some throws I was like ‘wow,’” sophomore receiver Eldridge Massington said. “He’s back there chucking that thing. He’s good. I kept telling him he’s the one. Chosen Rosen.”

He finished with nearly every notable UCLA single-game passing record for a true freshman quarterback, eclipsing the mark for completions, attempts and passing yards, all of which were set by Cade McNown at various points during the 1995 season.

“This is a great foundation for our offense and for Josh to build off,” offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone said. “He’s got some of those innate qualities that the good ones have, the ability to slide in the pocket to make plays, keep his eyes downfield, throw guys open. He has shown that since he’s been here. That’s just something the good Lord decided to give him.”

Rosen was careful with the ball and did not throw an interception. He was efficient, especially on third down, completing 6 of 8 passes for 116 yards. He made a point to distribute the ball, hitting 11 targets, even nose tackle Kenny Clark, who was moonlighting as a tight end, on a 3-yard touchdown toss in the third quarter.

“I really don’t have to do much to keep this incredibly powerful train on its tracks,” Rosen said afterward.

UCLA’s defense never put too much pressure on Rosen and the offense, either, holding Virginia to seven points in the second half.

In the first half, the Cavaliers had some scoring opportunities, twice moving the ball into the red zone and three times inside UCLA’s 30-yard line. But they were held to field goals each time.

“If we hold them to field goals and not touchdowns, we’ll be OK,” defensive coordinator Tom Bradley said.

Bradley was making his UCLA debut, as well, after spending last season as an assistant at West Virginia after 30-plus years on Joe Paterno’s staff at Penn State.

The lone touchdown given up by the Bruins came with less than four minutes to go, a touchdown pass from Virginia quarterback Matt Johns to Taquan Mizzell.

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